Sir, – The public and media obsession with the breach of the salary cap for ministerial special advisers is truly bizarre. Has anyone even bothered to do the maths on this one? Each of these advisers is being paid at least 20 per cent less than those who held the positions under the last government, a fact which the media and Fianna Fáil in particular seem to want to gloss over.
The total amount being paid to the 10 advisers in question in excess of the salary cap amounts to just €412,000 per annum. And yet, those who criticise these payments and vilify the advisers in question are many of the same people who argue in favour of the grotesque €180 million in salary increases (increments) which is due to be paid out under the Joke Park Agreement.
After all that we have been through, it is shocking to see such a lack of perspective among the media and the general public. – Yours, etc,